BGAN from Stratos Provides Connectivity for Digital Archaeological Study in Remote Mongolia


February 4, 2010 

Stratos Global Corporation, announced it is supplying Inmarsat BGAN mobile satellite communications service to University of California San Diego (UCSD) researchers to support their ambitious archaeological survey in remote Mongolia.

BGAN from Stratos is providing broadband data and voice connectivity to UCSD researchers in the Valley of the Khans (VOTK) as they search for the tomb of the legendary Mongolian leader Genghis Khan. Stratos equipment supplier ViaSat is donating its VRT-100 rugged BGAN terminal for this project.

The VOTK research project, supported by the joint National Geographic Society/Waitt Grants Program, is led by UCSD research associate Albert Yu-Min Lin, Ph.D. Dr. Lin initiated this project using a new, non-invasive scientific approach.

The project is performing a non-destructive archaeological search for the tomb of Genghis Khan, utilizing modern digital tools from a variety of disciplines, including digital imagery, computer vision, non-destructive surveying, and on-site digital archaeology. The search seeks to locate the tomb without disturbing it, thus maintaining respect for local customs while enabling protective measures through organizations such as UNESCO.

The VOTK research project was recently nominated as one of National Geographic Adventure magazine's 2010 Adventures of the Year.

"Having access to BGAN from Stratos, with the rugged VRT-100 terminal, provides us with reliable connectivity in northeastern Mongolia's 'Forbidden Zone', one of the world's most remote regions. The service is playing a critical role in helping us maintain the highest levels of safety and productivity while in the field," said Dr. Lin. "BGAN has provided effective connectivity for a variety of media formats and is an invaluable tool for photo transmission and blogging."

Stratos President and CEO Jim Parm said, "Our successful contribution of BGAN service for this important project showcases the service's portability and high performance. We are also grateful for the
opportunity to demonstrate the durability of the VRT-100 and its suitability for use in a variety of harsh outdoor environments."